















f 







** 




/.•j^'.%*°o .**.c:«L-/V /.'j^.*°o >* 




\.** •• 



asljington's ^irtjj-baj— Ctktoatiffn at |rMng Mt^t 



ORATION 

DELIVERED BEFORE THE 

STUDENTS OF IRVING COLLEGE, 

W 
M A N C H K S T JE H , M I ) . 

FEBRUARY 22d, 1859, 

BY 

W. J /waterman, Hsq. 

ALSO, THE 

By a. W. YOUNG, Esq. 

TOGETHER WITH BRIEF NOTICES OF THE CELEBRATION EXERCISES. 



B A L T I M R K : 

PRINTED BY SAMUEL S. MILLS, 
No. 1 North Street. 

1859. 






CORIIESPONDENCE. 



Irving College, March 4, 1859. 
ir. J. Wattrman, Esq. 

Dear Sir: — We, the undersigned, a Committee of the Students of Irving College, 
address you to request for publication, a copy of the Oration delivered by you on the 
22d ult. 

Your compliance with this request will be esteemed an especial favor. 

Very respectfully, 

James Jones, 
S. Warrington, 
George L. Volkmar, 
Wm. Hammett, 
Wm. Volkmar, 

Committee. 



8.3 West Fayette street, Baltimore, \ 
March Tlh, 1859. ' J 

Gentlemen: — Your favor of the 41h instant is before me. 

The address, I had the honor of delivering, — intended as a practical enforcement 
of a practical, patriotic duty, — was prepared exclusively for the occasion on which it 
was delivered, and was not deemed adapted to, or worthy of, a wider circulation. 

In addition, it was hastily prepared, in the midst of distracting cares, on very 
short notice, and was, therefore, not so carefully and studiedly arranged as to justify 
its being extended beyond the circumstances for which it was designed. 

In a plain, practical manner, eschewing embellishments, I spoke to your hearts what 
my own heart felt. If you think, as your flattering request would indicate, that its 
practical facts and lessons would do any good, in a more extended field, with many 
misgivings, I place the manuscript at your disposal. 

Very sincerely yours, 

W. J. WATERMAN. 

Messrs. Jas. Jones, and others. Committee, &c. 



ADDRESS. 



A cold, white ray of light, falling upon the clear, refracting 
prism, though it has traversed, unchanged, millions of leagues, 
is on the instant, resolved into the warm prismatic spectrum, 
radiant with all the beauties of Heaven's bow, dancing in joy 
and gladness, where the eye, in pleasure, revels ever, unwearied 
and unalloyed: — so the cold clear ray of History, falling on and 
transmitted through individual chaiWter, is resolved into the 
warm glow of biographical life, whfre are portrayed, the work- 
ings of the human heart and the human soul ; and we there 
catch the sympathy of fellow feeling, as we see pictured, our 
own passions, and our own impulses. History gives us the 
clearer light, but biography, the warmer and more genial pic- 
ture, in which we see drawn our own trials and temptations, 
our own triumphs and defeats — our own frailties, and our own 
repentances. Herein lies the golden cord that binds our souls 
in sympathy, in biography, Avhere we see how our own flesh 
and blood, struggled, and toiled, and endured, and hoped, and 
triumphed in the very circumstances, through which we, our- 
selves, have passed. This is not so in history. The difference 
between history and biography, is that between the geography 
of a country and the travels of some fellow voyager through re- 
gions we ourselves have passed, where we see how he endured 
what we endured, and how he reached the same journey's end ; 
the one is cold and dead, the other, warm with human life. In 
tracing the foot prints of our great national Father, we derive 
thence a stimulus to great and noble deeds, which history could 
never give. 

I purpose, this evening, picturing Washington for the imita- 
tion of his countrymen, as the exemplar and model of the noble 
virtues of human nature, — as the pattern after which is to be 
formed the good and great and noble of this laud. 



IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 



Recurring again to the figure which introduced this theme — 
the ray and the prism, — and carrying it a step farther, we see, 
that where this light falls on the tear-drops of rain, not only is 
it resolved into those exquisite tints — born in heaven, but 
nourished on earth,— but we see these hues of heaven taking 
the shape and form of the beauteous bow, that last, most 
exquisite of God's works — whose arch spans heaven and joins it 
with earth — the marriage tie, binding earth and sky — on which 
the angels pass to us; — a thing of lovliness. formed by -a union 
oi' heaven's smile of brightness and earth's tears of sorrow. So 
when the light of history passes through the nation's tears of 
gratitude to Washington, — it forms the bow of hope — the bow 
of promise, spanning in its arch, the throne of God, and bind- 
ing that throne to our national destiny. 

I view not the illustrious man whose memory we to-night 
celebrate, as a mere man, but as the especial and favored in- 
strument of a benignant God, raised up for the particular pur- 
pose of blessing this nation, in the manner I shall, in this ad- 
dress, attempt to sliow; and one whom it is neither idolatry nor 
sin to apotheosise. 

To appreciate fully the lesson his life is calculated to teach^ 
it may be profitable to turn back a few of the pages of history, 
that we may follow down the ray of historic light from its 
source, and watch its transmutation as it is resolved into the 
beauteous rainbow tints. 

History, has been called the unseen fingers of God's provi- 
dence, as they sweep over the cords of the harp of time, and 
iVhose music, sounds the mind and plans and counsels of the 
Most High, This is eminently true of our own history, as 
time's harp trembles and thrills with God's grand anthem of the 
free. As we listen to its choral harmonies, we may know^ 
Heaven's plans and purposes concerning us — plans and purposes 
not limited by our time and space, but designed as a means of 
diffusing heaven's richest blessings to mankind. This land 
was not built up for itself alone, but as a golden link in the 
chain of God's goodness, that belts the world— a great discipli- 
nary goodness, that would fit this nation to be, like His chosen 



IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 



people, the means whereby all the nations of the earth were to 
be blessed, and to this end all the developments tend. We are 
blessed and watched over, not for ourselves alone, nor for any- 
good there is in us, but because we are the clay in the hands 
of the Great Potter, to be moulded into the receptacle of His 
richest boon to man. 

It is said God sifted three kingdoms for the pure wheat, to 
plant this country with. Let us watch His Providence in this 
planting. 

The dark ages had rested as a pall on the earth ; — the peo- 
ple — the masses — had long ceased to be regarded as creatures 
of God, whose comfort was to be studied ; but rather a mere 
cattle, that increased the wealth of their masters, — the only 
creatures of heaven, — to swell their grandeur and minister to 
their advantage, and when that advantage seemed to demand 
it, to be sold, like cattle, in the shambles. Long slavery had 
besotted them and steeped their minds in ignorance — they were 
helpless as children, and the cry of the down-trodden had en- 
tered the ear of the Lord of Sabbaoth. The time for their de- 
liverance was coming — the time when their shackles were to be 
broken — when mankind was to be disenthralled — when they 
were to fear God and no one else besides. The first requisite to 
combat with tyranny, was intelligence. God's fingers swept 
the harp ! and the Printing Press was the music of its soft 
vibratings. Many then began to '^'run to and fro" and "know- 
ledge began to be increased," and the Press, as the tree by the 
river of life, began to shed its leaves, which were "for the heal- 
ing of the nations. " The leaven of intelligence began to spread, 
and presently overleaped the bounds of religious oppression, 
and the Reformation was inaugurated. These two steps had 
placed the people in supposed antagonism to the Rulers, who 
assumed a hostile attitude to them. The young plant of free 
dom was thus checked and thwarted. Weak and feeble it could 
not grow under the fierce heat of tyranny, under its very throne. 
It was, as it were, in its soft and pulpy state, and a single blow 
was enough for its extermination. No place was found for its 
safe nurture. God's unseen hand again swept the strings, and 



IRVING COLLEGE CELEBIIATION. 



Columbus had revealed a wilil garden spot — so wild and so 
distant, the world Avist not what to do with it. And when ty- 
ranny had crushed out, as it supposed, even the name of free- 
dom, a small remnant, home as by a casual wind on the wings 
of the May Flower, swept out of Delft Haven, and was drop- 
ped, just at the last extremity, in this wild, secluded, garden 
spot, — so far off, and so buried in the wild woods, as to 
be beyond tyranny's keenest ken : and there it grew, unno- 
ticed and unknown. The very abandonment and neglect, and 
the rugged difficulties it endured, caused it to grow up hardy, 
fearless, and self-reliant. Who does not see the special provi- 
dence of God in the fact, that America was discovered just at 
the time that freedom, weak and feeble, had been driven out by 
the iron rod of despotism, from its last standing ground, and 
was beino- driven into the sea? 

Again, the government of England is, usually, administered 
with such consummate wisdom and ability, as to secure the warm- 
est and firmest love of its subjects; and ever to bind every colony so 
firmly in love to the throne, that never, save once, Avas a colony 
lost. Yet, in that single exception of America, as in the case 
of Pharaoh, God seemed to have hardened their hearts and 
blinded their minds, that they might pursue the mad policy of 
estranging the colonists, who might thereby grow up free. This 
course was so at variance with the general policy of the British 
government, that one can scarcely fail to see the special inter- 
position of Divine Providence in nurturing this n.ation up to 
freedom, that it might be His chosen seed of freemen wherewith 
to plant the world. Never, before, did England so follow, 
blindly and stubbornly, mad counsel, as in the prosecution of 
the Revolutionary war. Her wont was not thus, madly, 
to war ; and though she wielded almost omnipotent force of 
arms, yet God distracted that force, by a sudden, unaccounta- 
ble and almost miraculous breaking out of war in India. And, 
though the flower of the army was sent here, against a feeble 
colony, wholly destitute of any means of defence, their power 
availed them nothing. God fougld against them, and for our 
fathers. He laid his behests even on the elements of nature. 



IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 



and marslialed tliem under the banner of the brave and free. 
Was our army encamped on Long Island, and needed to remove 
to New York, from under the very grasp of overwhelming 
numbers, that were just about to devour them up? God called 
up, as He did to the Israelites of old, when the Egyptians pur- 
sued them. His Pillar of Cloud of fog, and it settled like a pall 
on sea and land, deadening both sight and sound, and like 
the one of old^ which was both darkness and confusion to the 
Egyptians, until the chosen people had passed over the Red 
Sea, so when this second cloudy pillar lifted itself and removed 
from between the chosen and their foes, it revealed the 
astounded British lion, all crouched for his spring and his prey 
clean escaped out of his hands ! * Was our army at the South, 
feeble and scattered, fleeing with their prisoners, before a su- 
perior foe ? God opened tlie windows of heaven and poiired out 
the floods, in such measure and time, as to allow the chosen to 
pass over, in quick succession, the rivers Catawba and Yadkin, 
and Dan, almost as on dry land, arid while their feet were yet 
wet, and were scarce gone over, the flood swelled and prevailed 
and prevented Cornwallis, their enemy, from following, and 
thus delivered Gen. Morgan and his brave band out of the 
hands of those that sought their life, f Time would fail to 

"••'"About 8 o'clock in the evening, the troops began to move in the greatest silence. 
A violent nortli-east wind, and the ebb tide, whicli rendered the current very rapid, 
prevented tlie i)assage. I\iany hearts beat anxiously, for much depended on this re- 
treat. Suddenly and unexpectedly the wind veered to the north-west. They were 
immediately wafted over, and in a few moments landed in New York. 

Never was any movement more manifestly favored by Providence, and the Ameri- 
cans felt and openly acknowledged the especial care of God in so signally favoring 
their safe retreat. The wind seemed to change, at one time, exactly to their need, 
and at another, an unusual fog veiled them from an enemy so near, that the sound of 
their pick-axes was plainly heard. 

The field artillery, tents, baggage, and 9,000 men were conveyed over a river up- 
ward of a mile wide and landed in New York in less than 13 hours. Gen. Wash- 
ington saw one I'egiment after another safely depart, and, notwithstanding the en- 
treaties of his officers, was the last to leave the shore. In a few minutes after the 
rear-guard had left the lines, they were entered by the British." — Guernsey's U. S. 
p. 249. 

t ' ' On the 1 9 th of January, having destroyed all his superfluous baggage and all the 
wagons, except a few for necessary purposes, he commenced his remarkable pursuit 
of Morgan, who had moved off to Virginia with his prisoners. He marched with 
such rapidity that he reached the Catawba the evening of tlie same day on which 
Morgan had crossed. Cornwallis, not doubting his ability to overtake the a.dversary, 
halted for the night; but, before morning, the rain fell in torrents, the river was im- 
passalile without boats, and these, the Americans had carefulh' removed to the other 
side. 



IRVING COLLEGE CELEBIUTION. 



enumerate the instances where nature's elements, almost mira- 
culously, fought for our fathers. 

God marvelously led them by the right hand of His love 
through the wilderness, and gave them this goodly heritage, — 
planted them in this land flowing with milk and honey — run- 
ning; over with wine, and oil and fatness : — He hath not dealt 
so with any other people. 

These things have happened to us, not because we were wor- 
thy, nor for our own sakes, but because God's plans and paths 
lay through this nation, — a nation He has miraculously raised up 
and protected and blessed, — has given them rest and quiet from 
fear of the nations round about, — given them a name above 
other names, and made the fear of them to fall on the nations 
of the earthy that He might build up. for Himself a peculiar 
people, zealous of good works, — who might show forth His glory 
and goodness to the world ; that this land, might be the pure 
seed, of pure and enlightened, civil and religious freedom, 
wherewith the world's garden may be planted, and which shall 
therewith bud and blossom as the rose, and shall exhalethe sweet- 

"The swelling of the river was regarded by the latter as a gracious interposition 
of God, as by it, the enemy were delayed about two days. During this time, Gen. 
Green hearing of Morgan's victory, and afterwards of the rapid pursuit by Corn- 
wallis, ordered the remainder of his troops to march to their relief, while he, him- 
self, with only two or three attendants, after a ride of 150 miles, arrived in Morgan's 
camp on the Mist of January. 

"To understand the ground over which this remarkable retreat was performed, it 
is necessary only to glance at a map. Three large rivers rise in the north-west parts 
of North and South Carolina, and flow in a southerly course. The most southern is 
the Catawba. Green and Morgan were now across the Catawba, apjiroaching the 
Yadkin, which they passed on the evening of February lid, i)artly liy fording, and 
partly by tiats and boats, which were secured on the other side. Here, again, it hap- 
pened as at the Catawba — the swelling of the river presented a barrier tu obstruct 
the enemy. This second interposition in their behalf inspired them with fresh en- 
thusiasm in that cause which seemed to be tlie peculiar care of God. 

"Cornwallis still determined to pursue, but the Americans toiled on, day after 
day, and night after night, without a murmur, although many of them were only 
allowed three hours' sleep out of twenty-lour, and but one meal a day. Pressing on 
through the wintry storm, most of them bare-foot, and ^ith only one blanket for 
four men at night, drenched by the rains, and ehiUed by the water through which 
they waded, they were obliged" to dry their clothes by the heat of their own bodies. 

"Cornwallis (ietcrmined to pursue still, lioping to overtake the Americans before 
they reached Virginia; but, arriving at the Dan, which separates North (.'arolina 
from Virginia, he' found the Americans had already passed, and a third time his army 
was delayed; the boats had been taken over and the river was unfordable. So clear 
an interi)osition of I'rovidence was this, that the wliole country regarded it as a spe- 
cial mark (jf favor" to the American cause, and their hearts were cheered, as they 
thought of the future. So firm was their belief in this, that, although enduring se- 
vere sutferings during a retreat of more than 200 miles, not a single man deserted." 
— Guernsey^ s U. S. p. 339. 



IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 



ness of liberty from a disenthralled and liappy globe. For 
this, He has led us hitherto, has blessed and instructed us, both 
by precepts and tlie examples His goodness has furnished us, — 
has disciplined, chastened, and corrected us, and is gently lead- 
ing us with a lather's goodness, that He may show forth a 
father's love. 

Let us be obedient to the voice of His instructions, and let us 
heed what His Providence is saying to us. 

No means of perfecting us in this regard, or of fitting us for 
His holy purposes, has God withheld, but has instructed us in 
every possible way in which we could receive instruction. One 
of the most potential of these, has been the furnishing to us^, of 
high and noble exemplars, of all that is exalted and pure in 
perfect human nature ; — models after which might be fashioned 
the perfection of private and national character. Pre-eminently 
such a model, was our ever-to-be-revered WASHINGTON. 
He was no common man, but one specially designed not only to 
perform noble actions, and achieve grand results, but to set a 
pure and holy example, and, with omnipotent power, to preach? 
trumpet-tongued, even after mortality had put off the main in- 
firmity he had — a mortal body. 

He seemed invested with a nature superior to human. Er- 
ror was a stranger to him ; weakness knew him not, and faults, 
if faults were to be found in the catalogue of his noble and 
manly characteristics, had crept, unbidden and unheeded into 
the company of his holy virtues, and even showed by contrast 
the gigantic proportions of his manliness, a character the most 
perfect that ever inherited mere humanity. 

Throughout the revolutionary war, I believe history gives us 
no instance where Washington ever made a radical mistake, 
except in being over-ruled sometimes by others. No mention is 
made of those weaknesses and faults that are commonly the in- 
heritance of man. He was not only never deceived, but never 
wavered or faltered in the discharge of his duty. The world 
never before saw such a character — spotless — matchless — per- 
fect. Even his enemies could find no fault with him, the pure in- 
corruptible patriot — a man worthy to be called the father of a 
noble nation. 



As a general thing we will not over estimate a man's virtues, 
if we fake tlie picture his enemies draw of him ! No nobler 
portrait is given of Washington than that drawn by the 
British orator and statesman, Phillips. Bearing in mind, that 
this picture was drawn in the British Parliament, — the very 
enemy that brought on the Revolutionary War, — though it was 
exalted and manly and generous, and sliowed exalted and noble 
feelings, yet we may safely say, Washington was not drawn 
"better than lie really was. Behold tlie ]:»ortrait: 

"It mutters very little what immediate spot may lie the birth-phice of such a man 
as Washington. No people can claim, no country can appropriate him; the boon of 
Providence to tli(> human race, his fame is eternity, and his residence creation. 
Though it was the defeat of our arms, and the disgrace of our policy, I almost bless 
the convulsion in which he had his origin. If the heavens thundered and ilie earth 
rocked, yet, when the storm passed, how pure was the climate that it cleared; how 
bright in the brow of the firmament was the planet which it revealed to us! In the 
production of Washington, it does really appear us if nature was endeavoring to im- 
prove upon herself, and that all the virtues of the ancient world were but so many 
studies preparatory to the patriot of the new. Individuiil instances no doubt there 
were; splendid e.xemiilifications of some single ciualification. Cicsar was merciful, 
Scipio was continent, Hannibal was patient; but it was reserved for Washington to 
blend them all in one, and like the lovely chef-d'oeuvre of the Grecian artist, to ex- 
hibit in one glow of associated beauty, the prde of every model, and the perfection of 
every master. As a general, he marshaled the peasant into a veteran, and supplied 
by discipline the absence of experience; as a statesman, he enlarged the policy of the 
cabinet into the most comprehensive system of general advantage; and such v.as the 
wisdom of his views, and the philosophy of his counsels, that to the soldier and the 
statesman he almost added the character of the sage ! A conqueror, he was untaint- 
ed with the crime of blood; a revolutionist, he was free from any stain of treason; 
for aggression commenced the contest, and his country called him to the connnand. 
Lil)erty unsheathed his sword, necessity stained, victory returned it. Tf he had 
paused here, history might have doubted what station to assign him, whether at the 
head of her citizens, or her soldiers — her heroes, or her patriots. But the last glori- 
ous act crowns his career, and banishes all hesitation. Who, like Washington, after 
having emancipated a hemisphere, resigned its crown and preferred the retirement of 
domestic life to the adoration of a land he might be almost .said to have created?'' 

To see how keen an eye and perception of character, the 
painter had, contrast this picture with the one he draws of 
Napoleon, the otlier great contemporary character of the eight- 
teentli century: 

"He is fallen! "We may now pause before that splendid prodigy, which tow- 
ered amongst us like some ancient ruin, whose frown terrified the glance its magnifi- 
cence attracted. Grand, gloomy, and peculiar, he sat upon the throne a scei)fred 
hermit, wrapt in the solitude of his own originality. A mind, bold, independent, 
and decisive — a will, despotic in its dictates — an energy that distanced expedition, 
and a conscience pliable to every touch of interest, marked the outline of this extra- 
ordinary character — the most extraordinary, perhaps, that in the annals of this 
world, ever rose, or reigned, or fell. i<'luug into life, in the midst of a revolution 
that quickened every energy of a people who acknowledged no superior, he com- 
menced his cour.se, a stranger by birth and a scholar by charity ! With no friend 
but his sword, and no fortune but his talents, he rushed'in the list where rank, and 
wealth, and genius had arrayed themselves, and competition fled from him as from 



IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION, 11 



the glance of destiny. He knew no motive but interest — he acknowledged no crite- 
rion but success — he worshiped no God but ambition, and with an eastern devotion- 
he knelt at tlic shrine of his idolatry. Subsidiary to this, there was no creed that he 
did not profess, there was no opinion that he did not promulgate; iji the hope of a 
dynasty lie upheld the crescent; for the sake of a divorce, he Ijowcd before the cross: 
the orphan of St. Louis, he became the adopted child of the republic: and with a 
parricidal ingratitude, on the ruins both of the throne and tribune, he reared the 
throne of his despotism. A professed catholic, he imprisoned the pope; a pretended 
patriot, he impoverished the country ; and, in the name of Brutus, he grasped with- 
out remorse, and wore without shame, the diadem of the C«sars! Through this 
pantomine of policy, fortune plaj-ed the clown to his caprices. At his touch, crowns 
crumbled, beggars reigned, systems vanislied, the wildest theories took the color of 
his whim, and all that was venerable, and all that was novel, changed places with 
the rapidity of a drama. p]ven apparent defeat assumed the appearance of victory — 
his flight from Eypt confirmed his destiny — ruin itself only elevated him to empire. 
But if his fortune was great, his genius was transcendent; decision flashed upon his 
councils; and it was the same to decide and to perform To inferior intellects his 
combinations appeared perfectly impossible, his plans perfectly impracticable; but, 
in his hands, simplicity marked their development, and success vindicated their 
adoption. His person partook the character of his mind — if the one never yielded in 
the cabinet, the other never bent in the field — Nature had no obstacle that he did 
not surmount — space no opposition that he did not spurn ; and whether amid Alpine 
rocks, Arabian sands, or Polar snows, he seemed proof against peril, and empowered 
with ubiquity ! The vvhole coutinent trembled at beholding the audacity of his 
designs, and the miracle of their execution. Scepticism bowed to the prodigies of his 
performance; romance assumed the air of history; nor Avas there aught too incredible 
for belief, or too fanciful for expectation, when the world saw a subaltern of Corsica 
Avaving his imperial flag over her most iuicieiit capitals. All the visions of antiquity 
became common-places in his contemplation; kings were his people— nations were 
his outposts; and he disposed of courts, and crowns, and camps, ;ind churches, and 
cabinets, as if they a\ ere titular dignitaries of the chess-board ! Amid all tliese 
changes he stood immutable aB adamant. 

It mattered little whether in the field or in the drawing-room — with the mob or 
the levee — wearing the jacobin bonnet or the iron crown — lianishing a Braganza, or 
espousing a Hapsburg — dictating peace on a raft to the Czar of Russia, or contem- 
plating defeat at the gallows of Leipsig — he was still the same military despot ! 

In this wonderful combination, his affectations of literature must not be omitted. 
The gaoler of the press, he aifected the patronage of letters — the proscriber of Ijooks, 
he encouraged philosojihy — the persecutor of authors and the murderer of printers, 
he yet pretended to the protection of learning ! the assassin of Palm, the silencer of 
De Stael, and the denouncer of Kotzebue, he was the friend of David, the benefactor 
of De Lille, and sent his academic prize to the philosopher of England. Such a med- 
ley of contradictions, and at the same time sucli an individual consistency, were 
never united in the same character. A royalist — a republican and an emperor — a 
Mohammedan — a catholic and a patron of the synagogue — a subaltern and a sover- 
eign — a traitor and a tj'rant — a christian and an infidel — he was, through all his vi- 
cissitudes, the same stern, impatient, inflexible original — the same mysterious incom- 
prehensible self — the man without a model and without a shadow." 

We may fairly conclude that Washington was in reality as 
good as his national enemy has drawn him ; and measuring 
him hy that standard we pronounce him a perfect man, one 
raised up for some especial purpose. This was not merely to 
lead armies to victories and success. 

God never wastes power and never creates an instrument 
with powers beyond Avhat is needed for the accomplishment 
of its design. Great virtues were not necessary to make a sue- 



12 IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 



ccssful leader. Napoleon lead his armies to victory on the em- 
battled plain, with scarcely a spark of the noble virtues that 
in Wasliington burned with such genial warmth. God crea- 
ted him for higher and holier ends. 

If it wasGrod's design to make this land a briglit and shining 
light, as the great nurser}'- nation, to nurture and exemplif}'-, 
and finally spread abroad and diffuse over tlic earth, the great 
and holy principle of civil and religious emancipation and liber- 
ty, — it was necessary to discipline it up to a high state of perfec- 
tion, and for this purpose G-od instructed us in every possible 
way, and through every possible channel, — precept upon pre- 
cept, line upon line, here a little and there a little, and when 
this course of discipline was about to culminate, God illustra- 
ted and enforced His teachings by an illustration, especially 
fitted to exemplify and embody all the national and private 
virtues, a model or exemplar, whose whole existence, and 
whose memory, being dead, brings home to every one the ur- 
gent duty of following the holy footsteps he has trod and sancti- 
fied. To give his example this power, his life was cast in such 
scenes, as would command our love, our admiration^ our wor- 
ship! Success and wisdom were given him — goodness and 
patriotism were his that he might rightly hoM the proud 
position as tlie noble exemplar to his people. His services and 
success made liim the idol of the nation, tliat the virtues of his 
character might the more completely sway the sceptre of quiet 
omnipotent example. The power and teaching of that example, 
we may not heedlessly pass by or ignore, more tlian we might 
desecrate his name or execrate his memory. 

These observations and reflections bring us to. the point 
where we are prepared to watcli tlie ray of liistory, as it is 
transmitted through tliis pure character, and to gaze with won- 
der and admiration, on the exquisite coloring and soft bleudings, 
into which that ray is resolved. It is the sole purpose of this 
address to study this picture, painted in heaven's own colorings. 

Beginning at the early dawning of this eventful life, the 
first lesson we learn, is the full and unwavering conviction of the 
overruling goodness of God. When we see the tiny hands of the 



IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 13 



infant George, running over the young plants in the garden, 
springing up in the letters of" his name; when we watch the 
steps of induction, by which he passed from this to the exist- 
ence and attributes of a beneficent Creator, we are taught to 
see the finger of Grod writing His goodness and love, in the 
plants of the garden, the flowers of the field, and the leaves of 
the forest. Let us follow the example of little George, — read 
and understand their language ; let our souls follow their point- 
ings, till like his, they reach the tlirone of God in wonder, love 
and praise. Let us, like him, start early in life with the full 
conviction of, and reliance upon, an over-ruling Providence, 
which no after-storms, however dark or long they may lower, 
could cause us for a moment to doubt, or allow us a moment to 
hesitate in a full dependence upon. 

The next lesson, is unwavering adherence to truth. When 
dire punishment stared him in the face, lor the childish and 
wanton destruction of the choice fruit trees, his young heart 
Avas sorely tried, but love of truth, triumphed over all — a tri- 
umph, equal in glory, to any conquest achieved by physical 
force afterwards. That struggle was the pivot point of his 
life, and never afterwards, was he known to forsake the truth. 
Like him, let us early Aved ourselves to truth, by an indissoluble 
bond, that it may be said of us, as it is of him, "he never 
told a lie. " 

The next lesson taught by the example of Washington, is fil- 
lial affection, and deferential regard to jmrehts' wishes. When 
he was fifteen, he received a midshipman's commission in the 
British Navy. His own enthusiastic soul seized it as the road 
to glory. His mother's heart yearned, in her lonely widowhood^ 
for the comfort of her son's presence, but she would not thwart 
his plans, nor cross his ardent anticipations ; and she said nought 
against the bright prospect. But when young George's trunk 
was on board the vessel and the agonizing scenes of parting 
were upon them, his widowed mother's tears, in silent, scalding 
bitterness, would flow down her sorrow furrowed cheek. 
Through those bitter drops George read her soul : His trunk 
was taken again on shore, his visions banished, his commis- 



14 IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 



sion resigned, and he went back to be the solace and comfort of 
his mother. History hardly furnishes a brighter example of 
strong filial love — and God, that He might set His seal of ap- 
})r()val, in exemplification of the precept and jjromise, "Honor 
thy father and thy mother^ that thy days may be long in the 
land which the Lord thy God giveth thee " — ever after, crown- 
ed his life with success, in every undertaking. Oh that the 
youth of our land, would lay it to heart, ponder, and profit by 
it, that the brightest and noblest, the most exalted trait of 
character, in the loftiest specimen of humanity God ever raised 
up, was deferential regard to the wishes of a mother. How im- 
portant a lesson in this fast age, when the youth, almost Avith 
his first boots, puts on a disregard of a mother's admonition, 
and boasts within himself that he has grown to be too large to be 
under the control of a woman ! In true greatness, as the life and 
soul ex[)ands, respect for parents, expands. Disobedience is the 
crying sin of this age ; hence no more important lesson could 
bo given, than that of George Wasliington's noble example. 
When a youth feels tliat he is too large to be under a motlier's 
influence, let him reflect that that thought is a sign of his 
littleness, not his greatness: It is the small fish that escape from 
the net, not the large ones. A mother's influence and love, al- 
ways lead to true greatness and glory, and when the soul is 
moving on that way, it feels no restraint, — it is only when wa}''- 
wardnessand wrong would lead astray, that the fetter binds and 
frets. A very coarse but striking figure presents itself to ray 
mind, to illustrate this principle, and premising that I mean 
no derogation to the theme by its introduction, I hope its 
homeliness Avill find excuse in its aptness. The noble watch 
dog, when chained to the wagon he is to guard — while he moves 
on voluntarily, feels no fetters; it is only when he would for- 
sake his post of duty and go astray, that he feels that he is 
chained. So long as a youth is walking the path of duty, a 
motlier's influence is no restraint ; it is so felt only in the 
wrong road. Whenever a youth confesses restiveness under a 
mother's influence, it is a confession that he is treading the 
downward road. A noble youth feels rather warmed and 



IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 15 



cheered by the presence of a mother's love and prayers and 
tenderness. When the noble Washington felt that he was 
getting away from tliese holy com[)anions, he instantly paused 
and turned back. Would to God, the voutli of this au'o would 
follow his noble example! Whenever is pictured the nearest hu- 
man approach to purity and heaven, it is revealed by the pen- 
cil that delineates a mother's heart. Shall greatness be shown 
by treating neglectfully and scornfully, that human lens that 
catches and focalizes in a point the most of heavens rays that 
stray to earth? No ! by all the pangs that gave us existence. 
No ! by all the patient endurance that watched over our help- 
lessness. No ! by all the love that shielded us from harm. 
No ! by all that woman's piety, that taught our infant knees 
to bend in prayer, and our inftmt lips to lisp in praise the Great 
Creator's name. No ! by all the self-sacrificings that endured 
our ills, that we might be free. No ! by all the gentleness and 
goodness which implanted all that is lovely and gentle within 
us, and modified the asperities that might not wholly bo re- 
moved. Sooner let earth turn away from the sun for light — 
sooner let hell be searched for holiness : — Then may a youth 
turn for greatness from a mother's teachings and influence. 

The next lesson taught by the noble example of Washington, 
is ceaseless, indomitable, indefatigable industry. After his 
abandonment of the navy, he applied himself seduously to ac- 
quire the arts of mensuration and surveying. To aid him in 
the acquisition of these arts, he had none of those appliances 
and fiicilities, so profusely lavished upon the youth of our time. 
He acquired his knowledge by intense labor and toil, that 
scarcely knew rest, and that impelled him to leave his bed long 
ere 

"Aurora roused from roseate chambers 
To ope the gate of day" — 

and to work out his problems by candlelight ; and in the cold 
and snow, he took his compass and rod into the field, for prac- 
tice, when less delicate constitutions would have remained 
housed. He never wearied in making himself master of his 
art. He aimed high, and realized the truth of the axiom, 
" There is no excellence without endurina; labor." 



16 IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 



Again, we learn dauntless courage and endurance from his 
example. Scarcely had he completed his studies, before, with 
his instruments, he plunged into the howling wilderness, be- 
fore untrodden by the foot of the white man. For montlis, on 
the rugged mountain side, and in the deep, dark valley,— ex- 
posed to all the hardships of wild life, he struggled and toiled, 
endured every hardship and privation of life, surveying wild 
lands, far, far away from the habitations of man, and camping 
out in the cold, frosty air, where fire was their main safeguard, 
from the sharp tooth of the frost, and from the scarcely less sharp 
fangs of the hungry wolves, whose midnight orgies and hideous 
bowlings, made night vocal with the only minstrelsy young 
Washington had, as his lullaby to slumber, or, at least, to 
repose : it was literally a howling wilderness. So dauntlessly 
courageous was he, and so wide-spread was his reputation in 
this regard, joined with unusual sagacity, that when scarcely 
twenty years of age, he was entrusted by Gov. Dinwiddie, with 
an important commission to the commandant of the French 
military posts on the Ohio. The history of those French ag- 
gressions, is known to every elemental student of history. The 
distance to be traversed, over a wild, trackless wilderness, was 
about six hundred miles. On the last day of October, without a 
guide, and with but a single companion, young Washington 
started on his perilous, and hitherto untraveled, journey. The 
sharp weather on the mountains, and the ruggedness of the 
country, broke their horses down, in the midst of the moun- 
tains, and the densest of the forest, with their journey scarce half 
accomplished. They were thus left, scores of leagues from 
human abode ; with nothing to guide them but their good sense 
and unfailing courage, and trust in God. These boys, heavily 
laden with their muskets, blankets and knapsacks, undismayed, 
on foot, threaded that wild forest, full of hostile savages, even 
then nursing the wrath that, afterwards, devoured Braddock and 
his array. These were scenes calculated to try, as with a 
touchstone, the courage of the stoutest heart ; and yet these two 
lads, strangers to fear, trudged on and toiled on, and accom- 
plished their mission. 



IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 17 



The next lesson is fixedness and immutability of purpose. 
Washington never wavered ; when once his plan was formed, 
throughout his whole life, he clung to it, with a tenacity and 
steadfastness, as invariable as the needle to the pole. He never 
was impatient or impulsive ; he deliberated calmly, but action 
instantly followed decision — he took deliberate aim, but action 
sped swift to the mark. 

Again, he was patient, long-suffering and meek, under inju- 
ries ! One of his noblest maxims was, that '' Truth and right 
were eternal, and could wait long for their vindication ; while 
falsehood and wrong, must triumph now', if ever, before they 
pass away." Oft times bitterly maligned by enemies, he never 
resented it ; but, trusting to time and truth, he spoke the noble 
sentiments of the true patriot, when, gloriously, he said, ''he 
was too busy to take much thought about himself; — that he 
had as much as he could do, to take care of the army ; that 
his whole time and energy being taken up in vindicating the 
honor and good name of his country, he would ])equeath to that 
country, the duty of taking cire of, and vindicating his good 
name from false imputations." ■ He not only endured these 
things meekly, but uncomplainingly. No reproaches escaped his 
lips, — he was too noble, and engaged in too noble and import- 
ant a work to fight the little and degrading battles of personal 
pique or resentment. His eye and aim were fixed on the end 
of his efforts, — the glory and freedom of his country; and the 
clamors of personal detractors fell upon his ears with as little 
effect, as the baying of the hound falls on the ear of the pas- 
senger in the winged car, as it speeds, unimpeded, on, as it 
were, the swift pinions of thought, to his journeys' end ; — 
heard for an instant, and anon forgot. Yet, in all that meek- 
ness, when any indignity or slight was offered to his country, 
he was quick to resent it. His love of country occupied his 
whole soul and left no room to love himself. This love was 
seen when the British official addressed his communication to 
him as George Washington, Esq. He said it was politely 
enough addressed to him as a man ; but, as a man, he could 
hold no communication with the enemy of his nation ; but if it 
2 



18 IRVING COLLEGK CELEBRATION. 

was ibr liim as the country's commander, — the country, as his 
master, must receive its proper place in tlie address, and his 
relation to that country. And until it was done, refused to re- 
ceive the missive. When his dear children, — his faithful army, 
in their bitter sutferings at Valley Forge, — where nakedness, 
frost, and starvation, Avere gnawing away their very vitals,- — 
were muttering their complaints in liis tender, fatherly ears, 
against tliat country which he loved so well, his holy soul was 
wrung witli agony; and Avhen his tears had dimmed his specta- 
cles, so that he could not read a letter from congress to them — 
while he took off his glasses, to wipe them, his noble, patriotic 
soul burst forth, in the remark, when as if the dimness was 
from age, and not from agonizing tears, he said, "My eyes 
have grown old and dim in the service of a country 1 never 
knew neglectful of the happiness of her citizens, nor derelict 
in doing all in her power for the comfort of her soldiers.'" 
Though torn with agony himself^ he could not forbear to exalt 
his country in the eyes of his ibllowers. Those soul stirring 
words, trembling through his tears, were, in an instant, caught 
by the army, as an electric tlirill, and those niutterings, Avhich 
pierced his heart and flowed back again in tears, were instantly 
refracted from their course and changed into the huzza and 
shout of triumph, which made the welkin ring ; and the whole 
army, by the magic of example, were happy in the love and 
protection of their great father. They needed then no letter of 
Congress, — their glorious leader was Congress, and food and 
clothing and comfort enouo;]i for them. Would that we. like 
the army, might catch the glow of liis pure life, and by it, be 
brought back to our path of duty, whenever we stray. 

Joined with unselfish neglect of self, Washington was ever 
sympathising and compassionate for the sorrows of others. No 
soldier suffered, that Washington's hand ministered not to his 
want.s — no sorrow was there, over which his love did not spread a 
balm; and he went about among the sorrowing and the sick, like 
the tender father that he was^ and dispensed smiles and sunshine^ 
as if his face had been q-. mirror, that had caught the light and 
smiles of heaven, and reflected them into the darkness of woe. 



IRVING COLLEGE (.'ELEB RATION. 19 



No pain did he inflict that couhl be avoided ; and when he 
signed the death-warrant of young Andre, his tear-drops fell 
and blurred his signature. Oil ! that this example could have 
its effect upon the lawless cruelties of our age, — that we, like 
our noble Washington, would inflict no pang we could spare, 
and assuage those agonies we may not wholly cure. 

But time and space admonish me that I am going too much 
into detail, and, therefore, drawing my portrait larger than 
ray limits allow. The subject is one that may not be ex- 
hausted, ypace and time, therefore, must bear the responsi- 
bility of contracting me into mere synoptical bounds, leaving 
the further filling up to tlie reading and reflection of the his- 
torical student. 

The brightest point of Wasliington's example, has not yet 
been noticed, and that was, his religion. No man's life and 
conduct were ever more controlled by the holy precepts of reli- 
gion, than those of Greorge Washington ; it was the crowning 
glory of his life. In all his ways, he acknowledged God, who 
directed his steps. In his walk and conversation^ Grod's com- 
mands were heeded, and reliance, full and complete on divine 
Providence, ever proclaimed. He commended his army to the 
care of the God of battles, in personal, earnest and private 
prayer. Blessings were supplicated, on the bended, humble 
knee. 

■Tlie cold forest iirouiid und the keen niidni.iilit air. 
Witnessed the ontpourino- heart's intense fervent prnyer." 

There the cause of the Colonies, and the interests of humanity, 
were poured out into the ears of the God of armies, and His bless- 
ing invoked. The army was committed to His protecting care, 
and they were earnestly entreated to supplicate blessings for them- 
selves. In every victory, God's hand was acknowledged in pub- 
lic thanksgiving and praise. When humiliation and defeat fell 
as a punishment for sins, fasting and prayer were ordained, that, 
by repentance and reform, the fierce anger of Jehovah might be 
averted. In all places — in public and private, in sickness and 
health, at home or abroad, on the field of battle or in the draw- 
ing room, — God Avas acknowledged and reverenced, as the pro- 



20 IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 



tector and friend oT this country. The free, open, telegraphic 
communication of prayer and praise was constantly kept open 
and unobstructed, between earth and heaven, by which special 
blessings were transmitted^ witii a rapidity and ease, I fear, 
unknown in our ago of protracted interruption in the conduct- 
ing medium. Oh! tliat the example of Washington would 
win us back to our first love, to obedience to God's law, 
to reliance on His good Providence, and a more . hearty ac- 
knowledging of our dependanci' uii Him, by walking in the 
path He shows. 

Yet Washington, with all his noble qualities — tlie exemplar 
of all the manly virtues that exalt any people ; and which 
marked him out pre-eminently before the world, for love and 
admiration — has passed to his rest and is lost to us, — lost to his 
country. He has passed into the world of history, and to our 
deep disgrace, is fast passing from our minds and memories. 

Though he was the most perfect character ever shown on 
mere humanity's escutcheon ; and though I shall startle you 
with the announcement of the fact, — yet, notwithstanding we 
celebrate the anniversary of his birth, — we, as a people, are 
rapidly losing our love for the noble father of our country. 
We never loved him as we ought, and as Grod intended we 
should, and even the poor love wliich we have, is passing away. 
I know this statement astonishes, but I will prove it true, that 
I may thus, peradventure, be the means of leading some, at 
least, to repentance in this matter. 

The great Master of the church said, '' If ye love me, keep 
my sayings." "Ye are my friends if you do whatsoever I com- 
mand you." Love and discipleship were to be tested by ac- 
tions ; and those were pronounced hypocrites who say "Lord, 
Lord, and do not the things that I say." If our love for 
Washington is to be tested by this infallible standard, Ayhere 
shall it be found? Do we do as he taught us ? Do we follow 
his holy example? Washington said in the language of the 
wise man, "Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a re- 
proach to any people !" Do we avoid sin and love right ? Do 
we Avalk in the steps he has trod ? Look at the feeble picture 



IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 21 



this night drawn, and say it' we are filling up a single linea- 
ment of that picture? Are we properl}^ appreciating or using 
that liberty he labored so long and hard to secure ? Are we 
not defiling those principles by our practices ? Wherein do 
we exemplify in our lives, those noble examples he has set us ? 
Is he honoured or disgraced by the present age? True, we 
talk well, but do ill. We catch the shadow and let go the sub- 
stance. We shed tears at his tomb, and bear away canes, cut 
from his grave as mementos, as though we loved him ; but 
which we do not liesitate to use in a disgraceful street-brawl. 
Is that loving Washington ? Is he honoured by our thus re- 
membering liim? Is he not disgraced, rather? We make pil- 
grimages to his tomb, but deface the stones that protect his re- 
mains ; batter and destroy the place till the storms beat in up- 
on his precious relics. Would true patriotism so suffer indig- 
nities to tlie pious remains of the noble dead? And when 
vigorous effort is made to rescue the holy spot from further pro- 
fanation, and the nation is called upon to show their faith by 
their works, do they look — do they act as if they loved 
Washington? Is there not evidence abroad in the land 
(shame upon us !) that, as I said, we do not love him ? — 
If wo loved him, would we not follow his example ? Do we 
love truth and steadfastly adhere to it — be the consequences 
what they may — as did Washington? Do Ave honor and res- 
pect parents as he did? Are we gentle, forbearing and meek 
under wrong as he was : or are we quarrelsome, and noisy and 
turbulent ? Have we that strong love of country that swallows 
up all thought of self : or is it not, rather, too much a selfish 
love of country for wliat that country may do for us? Are we 
obedient to laws, even to privation and want as he was, in every 
case? — never through his Avhnle life violating a laAv of the land. 
Above all, do we, of the present generation, acknowledge and 
honor God in all our ways, as did George Washington? — and 
urged his countrymen always to do. Are we not fallen from 
our first estate? Are we not by our actions, disgracing the 
father of his country, and treading under foot his bright exam- 
ple? Would he not feel ashamed of his countrymen if he could 
look down upon this generation ? 



22 IRVING COLLEGK OKLEBRATION. 



Verily sliadows and darkness are over the land — thick dark- 
ness and gloom ; but my faith in Washington's God, and our 
God, is so strong, that I believe the darkness and gloom to be, 
not those of approaching night, but rather the shadows and 
darkness of the transient storm cloud, that overshadows for a 
time, and thunders and lightens ibr tlie hour, then rolls itself 
away, leaving behind it, a brighter sun-sliine, a purer air and 
a clearer arching sky than beiore its blue vaulted dome was ob- 
scured by the tempest. Already, signs of returning vitality 
and animation are seen. The nation is beginning to revive — 
God grant that Washington's brilliant example may have its 
proper influence in bringing back this country to its first love 
and its first fidelity. We are not now, in a working condition 
to fulfill God's grand design and aim in so miraculously raising 
up and preserving us, and His hand of chastisement will be 
upon us until we repent, and forsake our sins and return to the 
paths of glory and honor our fathers trod. 

Let us be up and doing, working in this noble cause. Let 
us do with our might all our haTids find to do in accomplishing 
this desired end; that the day dawn of a more glorious mor- 
row may bo hastened on. Do we love our noble country ? Let 
us show our love by deeds that shall indeed exalt it to thcliigli- 
est pinnacle of fame. Do we love Washington's character and 
memory ? Let us show it by doing as he did, and Avould have us 
do — let us study his example and follow it — let us resolve to 
begin the good work to night, here in our own hearts, that 
Washington, from his heavenly lionie, may look down with joy 
upon the land he saved, and feel that his toils and sufierings 
were not endured in vain, not as water spilled, that may not be 
gathered again, but as seed sown i)i a genial soil, that shall 
bring forth for the garner, a tliousand fold; then shall his joy 
and gladness be full, and our sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 
This is a debt we owe to Washington, and wo are lost to honor 
if we do not discharge this debt ! 

Methought I saw, in my wrapt vision, the nation thus re- 
deemed and ennobled, standing proud and exalted among the 
nations, who trembled at the excellent majesty of her great- 



IE VINO COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 23 



ness — One foot pressed the firm hills, the other, old Ocean's bil- 
lows laved. Her face was radiant with the smiles of heaven, her 
brow adorned witli the diadem of empire — The sceptre of Jus- 
tice and Truth and Equal Laws, was in her hand, bright as 
burnished gold. Her command was over etbvtli and sea and 
air — Her chariots of control swept either shore. Earth, proud 
of her sway, brought exuberant tribute of countless wealth; — The 
white winged birds of the sea, in innumerable throngs, flapping 
their swift 2)inions on the breeze, crowded at her feet, and drop- 
ped the rich offering, they had borne from each distant clime 
— She grasped the lightnings in her hand, and talked with them 
face to face, as man talketh with his fellow, and then sent them 
on their swift v.'ings of fire over her vast domain, as her messen" 
gers, with burning words of love — She yoked the winds to her 
chariots and harnessed steam with iron fetters to her car — She 
breathed over tlie land her sweet breath, and the earth became 
vocal with the responsive harmony of prosperity's tliousand va- 
rious tones ; gladness clapped her hands, and mirth ran de- 
lighted througli all her borders. The sun Avas no longer ob- 
scured in the firmament^ but shone sweetly on the heavenly 
scene, and gloom dissolved in glory. The fair goddess was ar- 
rayed in robes of exquisite beauty — garments of radiant white- 
ness. There was neither tarnisli nor spot nor wrinkle nor any 
such thing throughout all her vestment. Her neck was encom- 
passed witli tlie pearls of Christian graces, and she was adorned 
with those ornaments that beautify loveliness, and make beauty 
divine. 

Me thought I heard a voice, as the sound of many waters, 
saying: Columbia! behold I have raised thee as a tender 
plant with great care — I have given thee a heritage of fatness, a 
land flowing with milk and lioney — I have made thee rich and 
great and beautiful — I have clothed thee with honor and majes- 
ty, — have given thee the garment of praise for the spirit of hea- 
viness — I liave adorned thee as a bride for her husband — ^I have 
made thee the delight and desire of the nations. Behold thou 
art Freedom's bride, and I have made thy dower beyond the 
dower of women. Behold thou shalt honor and adorn Freedom 



24 IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 



throughout the work! ! Thou shalt hroak the fetters from off 
imprisoned sons of sorrow ; — thou shalt unlock the dungeon 
doors and set the Weeding captive free, and shalt proclaim the 
ransomed jubilee of the Lord, the day of disenthrallment is at 
hand — the da}' of universal lihert}^ — when men shall feel 

'• Freedom to fear and worship God. 
But know no other fear." 

Thou shalt he kind to the down trodden and bind up the bro- 
ken liearted — thou shalt show the nations thy greatness and 
glory and wealth, and shalt say, ''Thus saitli the Lord, tlius 
shall it be blessed with all nations, whose feet are planted on 
the Rock of Ages and whose hands take firm hold on truth 
and justice. Yea, blessed is that nation whose God is the 
Lord! I will make her sons like gems, set in gold, that shall 
shine as the stars in the firmament of Grod." 

And anon there was a choir of innumerable voices, chanting 
in choral harmony the anthem of the free, saying "Amen ! 
Just and Holy ! Even so. Hasten the time, when the dark 
corners of the earth, shall no more be full of the habitations 
of cruelty — when the earth shall be filled with the knowledge 
of God, as the waters fill the sea — when universal emancipation 
shall fill the eartli with enlightened, Christian freemen— when 
there shall be 'glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace 
and good will among men,' Amen and Amen,"' and the shout 
swelled and filled earth and Heaven, and the earth shook and 
trembled, and the chains fell from off the fettered limbs and 
the great army of the free, rose up, a great multitude that no 
man might number, from among every nation and tongue and 
tribe and people under heaven, and they turned to Columbia 
and shouted, "Thou art worthy to receive glory and honor and 
immortality, for thou has made us free.'"" 

And as she turned, I saw that the gems in her coronet were 
brilliant beyond what I had ever seen. And behold one larger 
and more resplendant than the rest — so brilliant and dazzling, 
as almost to bewilder the gaze it attracted, — was engraved as Co- 
lumbia's crowning centre jewel, and bore the crest and image 



of Washington, and below shone in letters of light and bril- 
liancy. 

■■ I know tlioii art gone where thv forehead is slarreil 
With the beauty that dwells in thy soul. 
Where the light of thy loveliness cannot be marred. 
Xor the heart be thrust baclv from its goal. 

1 know thou hast bathed in the Lethe that flows 

Through a land where lliey do not forget : 
That sheds over memory only re])osc. 

And takes from it only regret! 

Where Joy has put off', in the land of its birth. 

The stains it had gathered in this ; 
And Hope, the sweet singer that gladdened the P>artli. 

Lies a,sleep on the bosom of Bliss !"' 




(M) R R E S P O N D E N C K 



li!\iXG CoLi.KiiK. Marcli J. IHoy. 
ft'a/. 11 . Yduiii/, l\s(j. 

Dkau .Sir ; — We, the luidei-jiigiied, a Coiuinittce of the students of Irving College, 
desire to publish the poem written by you for the 22d ult., imd request thereto your 
]>ermis'*ii)n. \\\ comply intr uitli Ihcir wishes, you will ronfcr an especial favor. 

\-,,,.y respectfully, 

W'm. Hammkti'. Jr.. ('hiiiruuui Couuniltcc. 



Haltimouk. .March 8th, 1859. 

Gkntlkmk.n : — Vour lavor, requesting uiy consent to the jjublication of the Poem. 
"The Birth-day of Washington,' is at hand. As it was written especially for recitii- 
tion by my son at your Exhibition, I lonsider it the jiropcrty of the Oollege. and 
claim no right to dictate what shall be done with it. 

\'ery truly yours. 

("iKoifiii-: W. N'oiN(;. 
.Messrs. W'm. IIammkii'. .Ii-.. and other.-. ( 'onunitti'e. it<-. 



€\ii f irt^-bag of SSHsljiiigton 



The ]>irtli-(lay of Washington I O with that word, 

What eloquent thoughts in the bosoin are stirred : 

What feelings of rapture, scarce less than divine, 

Come thronging, to bend at the Patriot's shrine : 

What emotions of gratitude wafted above, 

T.o that Clod, whom America truly should love — 

Who made us a nation peculiar of earth, 

And gave ibs tlie day of our Washington's birth ! 



The !>irtli-diiy of Wasliington ! sacred and blest, 
When the star of young Freedom arose in the West 
Througli the mists of the evening we saw it ai)pear, 
And it twinkled, and smiled in its beautiful sphere : 
With the darkness advancing, it mounted on high, 
.Dispelling the shadows and gilding the sky — 
And when the new day of Columbia was born, 
It stood in the zenith the gem of the morn. 



TRYING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 27 



Let the visiou of fancy in retrospect turn, 

From the babe of Westmoreland a miracle learn : 

Tlie model of Heroes, of Sages the grace, 

Are glassed in the eye, and enstamped on the face — 

The signet of greatness where millions shall bow, 

Is written so plain on tliat infantile brow 

That Nature, as there by the cradle she stands, 

Amazed at the marvelous work of her hands. 

Has broken the mould — that her Washington's name, 

Unequalled, may live on the records of fame ! 

The Birth-day of Washington ! honored and dear, 
Let his sons ever love, and his daughters revere : 
Let the song of the lip, and the prayer of the heart, 
Their tributes of filial homage impart ; 
Let the trump and the cannon your joy declare — 
Let your banners unfurling proclaim it in air — 
Till the tidings shall girdle the ocean and earth, 
How we lionor the day of our Washington's birth ! 

But e'en while the trump, and the cannon proclaim, 
And pajans of honor are crowning his name — 
While the orator's art would his tributes prolong 
And Poetry fashions her garland of song — 
While your banners unfurled o'er the land and the sea, 
Look down on the festive acclaims of the free ; 
Mount Vernon responds from her shadows of gloom. 
And points, with a sigh, to tliat desolate tomb ! 

The Homestead is there, with its mem'ries of old, 

But the altar is dark, and the hearth-stone is cold : 

The tendrils of verdure, he labored to twine, 

From the porch, and the lattice, no longer incline — 

The trees which he planted, like sentinels_, stand 

O'er the flowers once cultured by Washington's hand — 

And the demon of ruin, enthroned on his mold. 

Sits mocking the love that is measured by gold. 



28 IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 



There's a wail of reproach on the zephyrs^ that play 
With the stars and the stripes of your emblem to-day : 
And Liberty, showing the trophies he won. 
Entreats for the home of her favorite son ; 
And Everett's genius re-kindles the flame, 
On the altar which gratitude rears to his name — 
And Woman triumphant, is leading the van, 
With the sword of prerogative wrested from man. 

Let the sons who would honor his day and his deeds, 

Respond to the cause which for sympathy pleads : 

Let the home of the Nation's own father and friend. . 

To his national children forever descend ; 

Let the treasures of Science, the triumphs of Art, 

Their choicest gems to his relics impart — 

Till that couch shall be meet for the hero who sleeps — 

Till the casket is worthy the jewel it keeps — 

Till it rival the " Tomb of Mausolus, " and stand 

A ''wonder" confessed, and the pride of the "Land !" 

! Then may your Orator's diamonds of thought, 

Into language all glowing with beauty be wrought : 

And your poet inspired, exult in his dream 

O'er the pictures which fancy shall draw from the theme- 

And your glorious banner, at home and abroad, 

As it basks in the sun-light of Liberty's God — 

Untarnislied look down on the national mirth, 

That welcomes tlie day of our Washington's birth ! 




IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 29 



.^®^The two following articles are copied from "The Family Journal," publish- 
ed in the City of Baltimore. 

WASHINGTON'S BIETH-DAY AT IKVING COLLEGE. 



Tt is a niclaucholy fact, that in the lapse of years, reminiscences of the 
glorious old rovolutionary scenes are becoming more and niore indistinct. 

The recurrence of any event, memorable in the annals of our history 
as a nation, is really refreshing, as it awakens slumbering associations, 
and calls up images of men and things long since passed away. 

Of all anniversaries, that of the natal day of Washington has a right 
to general and heartfelt observation. 

The last twenty-second of February was surely noted at its advent by 
all, and commemorated to some extent as it deserved ; now it is our pur- 
pose to present some prominent features of a celebration held at Irving 
College, which, perhaps, may prove interesting to Marjlauders, as an 
item about their own State. 

As is usual, in literary institutions, an address was expected, and in 
that respect the assembled visitors were more than plea.sed ; the well-con- 
ceived oration of Mr. Waterman, of Baltiraerc, delivered in a stviL; truly 
rhetorical, was listened to with more than ordinary gratification. The 
speaker had interwoven so many refinements of thought, and had clothed 
them in language so chaste, that all, even the most youthful hearers, 
could not but be entertained as well as instructed. 

A " Tribute to Washington," by Gen. Harrison, was then recited by 
Mr, Warrington, of the college, and ample justice did the piece receive 
through the masterly elocution of the speaker. 

This was succeeded by a Poem from the pen of G. W. Young, Esq , of 
Baltimore, which was recited by his son, a collegian, with admirable ef- 
fect. The poet was felicitous in his imagery, expressed, at it was, in metre 
and diction entirely appropriate. 

That masterpiece of patriotic wisdom, the P'arewell Address, was read 
by Colonel Mills in a manner peculiarly impressive ; and the sentiments 
of the immortal author were well expressed by the emphasis and inflec- 
tion of the reader. 

The drama, too, was represented in a style not to be easily excelled. 
The good old revolutionary times were brought forward in a living, tangi- 
ble, impressive manner. All the characters were assumed and acted 
throughout in a way that savored much of reality. 

In this last entertainment much praise is due to the students for their 
easy and natural bearing and expression ; indeed, one might have readily 



30 IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 



believed that they were well iiecuptonied to theatrical paraphernalia and 
" crowded houses." 

Nor was music forgotten : the Manchester Band, at intervals, delighted 
the ear with the execution cif pieces, well selected and happily adapted to 
the occasion. 

All the receipt.s for admission to the above exercises were set apart for 
the Mount Vernon fund, and liave been transmitted to the Treasurer, 
Edward Everett. 

Thus was '• Washington's Birthday," commemorated at Irving College, 
and it can be truthfully stated that the impressions then made were salu- 
tary, and may hold us by stronger ties to the land which gave birth to 
him whose name we delight to lionor. and whose memory we are in duty 
bound to perpetuate. 



CELEBRATION OF WASHINGTON'S BIRTH-DAY AT IRVING 
COLLEGE. 

Among the many tributes to the memory of Washington on the anni- 
versary of his birth, the one at this place appears to me to merit especial 
notice. First, because it was projected and carried through by the stu- 
dents of Irving College, (youths and young men from 10 to 18 years of 
of age ; ) and secondly, because the proceeds are to be given to the •' Mount 
Vernon fund.'' Those youthful devotees at the shrine of patriotism, en- 
couraged and aided by the President and faculty of the institution, took 
hold of the business with an enthusiasm worthy of " Young America," 
and the citizens of the village and surrounding country, responded to their 
appeal in so liberal a manner, that the large exhibition hall of the college 
was crowded to its utmost capacity, and every visitor lepresented in the 
drawer by a substantial American quarter. 

The Manchester Brass Band, an amateur association, which would not 
suffer by comparison with those of our own city, opened the exercises of 
the evening with several national airs. The orator of the occasion, W. 
f). Waterman, Esq.. of Baltimore, was then introduced, and for more than 
an hour I listened to an address of such excellence and beauty as it has 
rarely been my good fortune to hear. Research and refinement were 
manifest throughout, while originality of mind and a tine imagination, 
with which the speaker is evidently highly gifted, invested his trite, though 
ever welcome theme with such new charms of thought and coloring, that 
the audience were spell-bound, as if by the wand of enchantment. The 
character of Washington, in all the relations of his perfect history, was 
drawn by a master hand. The boy, the man, the soldier, statesman and 



christian, were severally discussed, compared with the requirements of the 
divine precepts, and held up as models for the imitation of the young, and 
it is but justice to the smaller scholars of the institution to say that the;'-, 
pair! ^ijat marked attention to those beautiful lessons with which the most 
interesting speakers are rarely honored. I was particularly pleased with 
the frequent and appropriate references to the Sacred Volume, an exam- 
ple which I commend to the hosts of spread eagle speech makers, who 
would rob God of His glory, that they might therewith endow the objects 
of their idolatry. It was high toned, breathing pure religion throughout. 
* * * * After the oration, we had a national ode by Smith Warring- 
ton, and a Poem, (written i\)r the occasion, by U. W. Young,) by R. H. 
Young, both students of the college, and both of whom acquitted them- 
selves in an honorable and satisfactory manner. Then followed the read- 
ing of Washington's Farewell Address, by Col. S. S. Mills. And that 
dear familiar legacy of a nation's Father was rendered still more so by the 
clear, distinct and impressive manner in which it was read, and for which 
the Colonel is so remarkable, for. good public readers are scarce. 

The entertainment concluded with a series of tableaux and dialogues il- 
lustrative of revolutionary history, with appropriate costumes and scene- 
ry, the characters being personated by the students, all of whom dischar- 
ged their duties with credit to themselves and the iustitution, and T haz- 
ard nothing in saying that no audience ever left an exhibition hall more 
pleased than the one in question. 

During the day we wore treated U) a dress parade by the students, un- 
der the command of Capt. Horn, which was a marked feature of the occa- 
sion. To sa}- that they acquitted themselves as soldiers, is not going a 
step beyond their deserts, and to say the spectators were delighted would 
be largely inside the bounds of fact. Those having sons there felicitated 
themselves upon their good fortune. 



.4&^"Tlu- Ibllowiug is copied Iroui the '' Amkhic^x ISexti.nel.' \\iii. 11. (iiMiiiinai 
Esq.. Editor, published at Westminster, Carroll Co.. Maryland. 

WASHINGTON'S BIRTH-DAY AT IRVING COLLEGE. 



Together with a uumber of the patrons of the above popular College, we had the 
pleasure of celebrating the Birth-day of our Pater Patriae, at Manchester, Carroll Co. 
The day was a most propitious one, — bright skies and genial sun, — which added 
much to the interest of the occasion, giving to everything around a spring-like ap- 
pearance, and seemed to infuse a spirit of joyousness into the large numbers there con- 
gregated. We were one of a number who went from Baltimore to witness the exer- 
cises of the day, and, at the same time, to inspect the College of which we had heard 



4 r^- 

32 IRVING COLLEGE CELEBRATION. 



so much. And we were amply repaid by witnessing the bright, cheerful faces of the 
sixtyiffr' " pupils, all clad in the bright, neat uniform of the College, and the many 
' ^'*\ •>-!^ ' «etings of parents with children, which, altogether, made it a scene not soon 
^'^..^rgotten. 

Carroll county may well be proud of her College, which is fast growing in popular- 
ity and usefulness, and her citizens should look to it with a jealous eye. We all feel 
proud of it as Marylanders, for it is destined, at no distant day, to be second to none 
in the State. We noticed that Baltimore is strongly represented by a large num- 
ber of pupils — though many are from other parts of the country, Washington, New 
York, and Virginia. The College is beautifully located on the gentle slope of a pic- 
turesque eminence near Ihe village, in the midst of pleasantly laid ont grounds, with 
a fine grove crowning the brow of the hill, furnishing a picture as pleasing to the eye 
as the place is distinguished £or its pure, invigorating atmosphere. ^ 

At about three o'clock in llie afternoon, the sound of the bugle called us to witness 
the parade of tTie students. They were all uniformed, armed with Cadet guns, and 
went through with many of the intricate evolutions with a high degree ot proficiency, 
which would have done credit to older soldiers. This feature of the school has 
been introduced with a view of aflording healthful bodily exercise, thereby facilita- 
ting good discipline, and imparting that degree of military knowledge and skill, 
which every citizen of a Republic ought to possess. Major Horn is Professor of Tac- 
tics and the batallion, on the occasion, was reviewed by Cert. Mills, of Baltimore. 

At six o'clock in the evening, the exercises were opened by the excellent Brass Band 
of Manchester, who volunteered for the occasion, and did themselves much credit. — 
The music was followed by an Oration from W. J. Waterman, Esq., of Baltimore, 
who for an hour, enchained the audience by the mastery manner in which he deliv- 
ered his views upon the lofty theme under consideraMon. This was followed by an 
Original Poem, written by Geo. W. Young, Esq., and delivered by one of the pupils, 
R. H. Yonng, which evinced much talent, both in composition and oratory. A 
Tribute to Washington, was then delivered by another pupil, S. Warrington, which 
was highly creditable to his genius. This was followed by the readipg of Washing- 
ton's Farewell Address, by Colonel Samuel S. Mills, of Baliimore, which was render- 
ed very effectively. 

The whole affair was concluded by a Dramatic Performance — -'Scenes of the Revolu- 
tion' '—all the parts being sustained by the pupils of the College and tvell sustained 
too • for we have not, for a long time, witnessed so creditable a performance by so 
youthful a company. Upon the conclusion of the exercises the large audience retired, 
all highly delighted with the exercises of the day. 

Thi^ celebration at Irving College, on the 22d February, was prompted, by a patri- 
otic feeling of the students of adding a mite to the ''Mount Vernon I'^nd," thereby 
evinciug Their high appreciation of those most excellent women and good men who 
have in^charge the purchase of Mount Vernon Place, the sacred spot, where he who 
was "first in'" war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen/" now 

rests. . 

The proceeds, some forty dollars, were forwarded to Edward EvercU, tor which a 
kind acknowledgement has already been received. To Dr. Dieffenbach, the President, 
and his good lady, we are placed under many obligations for their kindness. The 
Baltimore visitors would return their thanks to the Hon. Dr. Shower, for the gener- 
ous hospitality extended to them during their visit. ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ PROBAT." 



^^ir=T5^ 




•^^d« 






-^Ao^ 













*k 






U A^ •td 



>*.»^lf* 






"jv«i^ 



















«• • 







\'*^^^\<^ 






TCT*' A 




'AO' 



'oK 




-4 O. -^i^^J^' jP"7V 



,*"% 






"^>.%^' 
^^'\ 




5- 'i 






'w* •^"- ^^/ •^' *^-/ • A"-. ''-^^ 









9^. 






V.^' 



'^^^ 






^'^^^^^ 



V-^' 









"^-^AO^ 









n^ 






"^<i»^ 












.»' 














'^ ***'• «f 












